The Scotland Health Care System’s Volunteer Auxiliary was recently presented the Five Star Award at the North Carolina Hospital Volunteer Banquet in Greensboro.

To earn the Five Star Award, an auxiliary must earn at least 281 points. Scotland Health Care System’s 100 volunteers earned 330 points.

Marion Sharkany, president of the North Carolina Hospital Volunteers, presented the Five Star Award to Ruth Bisbee, president of Scotland Health Care System’s Auxiliary.

“The Five Star Award is given to hospital auxiliaries who succeed in accomplishing a variety of criteria to improve their service to the hospital,” Sharkany said. “It means so much to the volunteers to earn this top level award and each year we see more hospitals achieving the Five Star level. These volunteers work very hard, especially through their fundraisers. It’s nice for them that their hard work is validated in such a way. The Scotland Health Care System Auxiliary has done well and rightfully can be proud of their hard work. Ruth, the outgoing president has been such an asset to the organization. We look forward to Margaret Herring, incoming president, and the continuing efforts of this auxiliary.”

Scotland Health Care System’s volunteers provide thousands of hours of service annually. They provide assistance wherever they are needed, whether it's folding linens, assisting at health fairs or on Scotty, stuffing envelopes, or directing visitors. Many of the hospital departments are very dependent on their volunteers who show up week in and week out providing thousands of hours of work, hospital officials said.

The volunteers' fundraising efforts support the purchase of new hospital equipment and services and each year the auxiliary presents two $1,000 scholarships to high school students enrolled in a health care course.

“To have won this award for seven years is testament to the hard work of the men and women of the Health Care System’s Auxiliary. We all are extremely proud of this accomplishment,” said Nancy Rogers, volunteer coordinator. “This is the highest award presented to hospital auxiliaries by the North Carolina Hospital Volunteers.”

In attendance at the award banquet were: Ronnie Norton, Director of Volunteer Services; Nancy Rogers, Volunteer Coordinator; Margaret Herring President Elect and volunteers Joyce Smith, Hazel King, Barbara Broughton and Billy Owens.